Since completing her Master of Fine Arts at Whitecliffe, Virginia Leonard has established herself as one of Aotearoa’s most distinctive ceramic artists, known for her bold, expressive works that merge vulnerability and strength. Her pieces are deeply personal, exploring themes of the body, healing, and the lived experience of pain — yet they radiate a sense of beauty and resilience that speaks across audiences.
Reflecting on her time at Whitecliffe, Virginia recalls how the Master’s programme challenged and matured her practice. “Master is so different from an undergraduate. It matures you, it challenges your practice — it really encourages critical thinking and writing. These skills are super important when you are in the art world trying to navigate your way through,” she shares.
For Virginia, those two years were foundational. “For me, the Master’s was the most important two years of my life learning how to be a maker in the world. I still use that learning all the time within my practice. It has always been super valuable to me, especially the faculty that would sit there with your work and say, ‘Have you thought of this? Have you looked at this? What happens if you do this? Don’t do that!’ I draw on this experience every day in my studio.”
Virginia looks back fondly on her time working with her studio supervisor, Henry Symonds, whose feedback and mentorship made a lasting impression. “I am always super happy to see Henry Symonds,” she shares, recalling the guidance that helped shape her early artistic direction.
Virginia’s path as an artist has evolved significantly since her days as a painter. The move to ceramics allowed her to merge physicality and storytelling in new ways, using clay as a medium for expression and repair. Over the years, she has exhibited extensively across Aotearoa, Australia, Europe, and the United States, and her works now sit in major public and private collections around the world.
When it comes to advice for emerging artists, Virginia doesn’t hesitate to share words that are both practical and inspiring. “For artists starting out post art school — you have to be super proactive. Organise shows with your art community in pop-up spaces, any chance you get. Be professional, be reliable, don’t be difficult. This stuff matters — gallerists take this under consideration. Work every day, that’s how you get better. Enter everything — every art award, every residency that is available, every group exhibition proposal.”
Her advice mirrors the same grit and dedication that guide her own work. She keeps evolving, creating, and pushing her practice forward. It’s a reminder that persistence and courage remain at the heart of every artist’s journey.
